Assessing the 2014 DB draft class

April 28, 2014 10:09 PM

Photo: Smiley N. Pool/Houston Chronicle

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Justin Gilbert, CB, 6-0, 202, 4.37, Oklahoma State

He’s got the full package scouts covet – good size, outstanding speed and terrific athleticism. Comes from a pass-happy conference. Can play press coverage. Can turn and run exceptionally well. Great closing speed. Good ball skills. Should go in top half of first round. less

Justin Gilbert, CB, 6-0, 202, 4.37, Oklahoma State

He’s got the full package scouts covet – good size, outstanding speed and terrific athleticism. Comes from a pass-happy conference. Can play press ... more

Coming off his best season as a three-year starter. A relentless player who covers like a corner but hits like a linebacker. Had injury problems in college that might worry some scouts, but he plays the run and covers receivers all over the field. Should be the second corner drafted. less

Darqueze Dennard, CB, 5-11, 199, Florida State

Coming off his best season as a three-year starter. A relentless player who covers like a corner but hits like a linebacker. Had injury problems in college that ... more

One of the best players on an excellent college team. He’s got a lot of range to go with superb ball skills. Good speed and hands. Can come up and make the hard hit but can lay back and wait and break on the ball. Should go in the top half of the first round. less

Ha Ha Clinton-Dix, FS, 6-1, 208, 4.58, Alabama

One of the best players on an excellent college team. He’s got a lot of range to go with superb ball skills. Good speed and hands. Can come up and make the ... more

Missed the last six games and the Senior Bowl after undergoing surgery for a sports hernia. A physical corner with the speed, quickness, instincts and intelligence to play man or zone coverage. Can play inside or outside. Should be selected in the first round. less

Kyle Fuller, CB, 6-0, 190, 4.49, Virginia Tech

Missed the last six games and the Senior Bowl after undergoing surgery for a sports hernia. A physical corner with the speed, quickness, instincts and ... more

He can play free or strong safety. He’s the hardest-hitter among the top prospects in the secondary. Might be best suited around the line of scrimmage because he likes contact. A sure tackler. Sound fundamentals for a player at his position. Should be selected in the first round. less

Calvin Pryor, FS, 5-11, 207, 4.58, Louisville

He can play free or strong safety. He’s the hardest-hitter among the top prospects in the secondary. Might be best suited around the line of scrimmage because ... more

Good size, athleticism and toughness. Plays faster than his 40 time. Began college career at Washburn before transferring. Natural athlete who got a lot of recognition at the East-West Shrine Game and Senior Bowl. Should be selected in the third round. less

Sleeper Pierre Desir, 6-1, 198, 4.59, Lindenwood

Good size, athleticism and toughness. Plays faster than his 40 time. Began college career at Washburn before transferring. Natural athlete who got a lot of ... more

Pierre Desir was born in Haiti and moved to the U.S. when he was 4. He threw up playing soccer before switching to football. He was a standout in both sports.

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Pierre Desir was born in Haiti and moved to the U.S. when he was 4. He threw up playing soccer before switching to football. He was a standout in both sports.

Photo: Joe Robbins, Getty Images

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Pierre Desir was born in Haiti and moved to the U.S.... Photo-6232145.84788 - Houston Chronicle

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Darqueze Dennard is the first player in Michigan State history to win the Jim Thorpe Award, presented annually to the nation’s outstanding defensive back.

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Darqueze Dennard is the first player in Michigan State history to win the Jim Thorpe Award, presented annually to the nation’s outstanding defensive back.

Photo: Mark Cunningham, Getty Images

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Darqueze Dennard is the first player in Michigan State... Photo-6232146.84788 - Houston Chronicle

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As a senior at St. Thomas Acquinas High School in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., Lamarcus Joyner was voted the USA Today Defensive Player of the Year, a national honor that helped earn him scholarship offers from every major program. less

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As a senior at St. Thomas Acquinas High School in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., Lamarcus Joyner was voted the USA Today Defensive Player of the Year, a national honor that helped earn him scholarship offers ... more

Photo: Streeter Lecka, Getty Images

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As a senior at St. Thomas Acquinas High School in Fort... Photo-6232147.84788 - Houston Chronicle

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Cornerback and safety aren’t priority positions for the Texans. Teams can never have enough corners, so they’ll be looking for depth, probably in the late rounds.

Cornerback and safety aren’t priority positions for the Texans. Teams can never have enough corners, so they’ll be looking for depth, probably in the late rounds.